I am trying to purchase train tickets to Toledo and on the Renfe website it lists MADRID-ATOCHA CERCANÍAS or MADRID-PUERTA DE ATOCHA-ALMUDENA GRANDES as options. I think that i want MADRID-PUERTA DE ATOCHA-ALMUDENA GRANDES as our hotel is near Atocha. Is this correct or am i overthinking things?
Posted by
Wengen
4218 posts
Both are the same station. One is the part where suburban trains stop. the other is where the high speed trains stop...
(Cercanias are the suburban trains).
Tickets for Toledo are AVANT tickets, with a fixed price. No need to buy far in advance. This is a high speed commuter train.
Posted by
Rick Steves Europe
411 posts
When on the Renfe site, if you are ever unsure of the station, you can select "Todas" such as MADRID (TODAS), and it will pick the correct station for you. Morning trains between Toledo and Madrid can sell out, so I recommend buying a few days ahead.
Posted by
Citizen of the World
4019 posts
Because Toledo is visited by thousands each day- if you plan to take one of the final two evening trains returning from Toledo to Madrid — it’s wise to reserve your tickets in advance.
The last two trains were completely sold out when we were there and anyone planning to walk up and buy tickets at the station was out of luck. The last Toledo to Madrid train departs at 9:37pm. The last bus departs Toledo at 11pm.
Posted by
Wengen
4218 posts
What you can do in such a case is buy a ticket for the last train, to make sure that you can travel, and if you want to return earlier, and there are spots on an earlier train you just take that. AVANT tickets are flexible.
But RENFE is not running enough trains. Trains regularly selling out means that the railway is actually not trying to make money.,